◆ SpookStack

(dount 7 | Chave As I write this, Cesar Chavez is in a California jail for contempt of court. He refused to call off a nationwide boycott of weberg lettuce produced by growers who don’t recognize his union. It's the great grape strike all over again. Some years ago Chavez organized @ union for the exploited farm workers in the West, mostly Mexican-Americans, -Fili- pinos, and other minorities. Alter a long and bitter struggle marked by Chavez’ own saintly personality and the tremendous support given him by people all over’ the country who refused {to buy non-union grapes, the growers finally’ gave in and Signed a union contract. Now the union, the United Farm Work- ers Organizing Committee (AFL-CIO), is trying to organize growers of iceberg let- tuce. This time the issue is more com- Plicated because some growers have signed up with a rival union, against the wishes of many work- ers. This makes it technically a Jurisdictiona! dispute, so a strike is outlawed VIOLENCE has also reared its ugly head, with attacks on strikers and their supporters. Beatings have been common. Atlomeys for the workers have been threatened. Few arrests have been made —and apparently the “law and order” supporters who cheer Chavez' jailing on contempt charges don't consider physical ‘assaults a crime. The UFWOC seeks better wages for the workers, but that isn't the only issue, especially since the rival union also nego- tiated salary increases. One demand is for ranch hiring halls so that people can apply for :work directly, insiead of being at the Mercy of labor contractors, who pocket By Whi Mr. Talann Mr. Sullivan __ Mr. Mohr ... Mr. Bishop ' Mr.BrennanCD Mr. Callahan ._ Mr. Casper ___ Mr. Conrad Mr. Felt Mr. Nr. Mr. Tavel Mr. Walters —__ Mr. Saas Tele. Kom Miss Holmes Miss Gandy S Clipping In Spece Below) z at-work ~~ tney Young Jr. TT IS WHAT all unions have sought and won for their members, and there is no reason for’ farm owners to consider themselves and their workers a breed apart, and refuse to unionize the way other employers have done. The grape growers have found that their worst fears were not realized; that the farm workers’ union led to higher labor costs but also to a happier, more stable, more productive work force. " The UFWOC's insignia, a bdlack eagle. appears on iceberg lettuce or the crates in which it is packed. It is a way to tell that the lettuce you buy was picked on farms that have signed union contracts with the UFWOC. __Cindnnati Enquirer Cincinnati, Ohio 19Cincinnati Post & Times Star Cincinnati, Ohio —tThe Citizens Journal Columbus, Ohio —Columbus Dispatch Columbus, Ohio __Dayton Daily News Dayton, Ohio — Journal Herald Dayton, Ohio T have litfe deeb! that whatever the powerful men who contro! the ranches and the court say, the boycott will contin- we until victory is won. The union certain- ly has mo imtention of calling it off. and the many millions of people who support- ed the grape boycott cas be counted upon to support this one, too, Date: 12/17/70 Eauon: 7 Star Final author’ Whitney Young, Jr. ow. iedenberg havez But aside from its importance to the unorganized, poverty-stricken farm work. ers, Cesar Chavez’ movement has immense importance for the whole labor movement THERE IS NO question about labor's diminishing influence among the young and the liberal. Its top leaders have sup- ported the war in Vietnam, some unions still discriminate against black workers, and many people believe that labor has become part of the Establishment. But the fervor roused by the farm workers of California, the garbage work- ers of Memphis, and the hospital workers elsewhere shows that labor's real giory Cheracter: or Cisssiticaniod:00°19287 itting Otte: CLINCINNATI some of the wages of the workers. The days are still ahead. NOT RECORD! union also wants growers -lo provide food By organizing the unorganized and by 46 a \ and housing, now sold gi exhorbitant rates bringing skills and higher wages for those JAN 18 199 Cy .to the farm workers.Glalso wants to in our society who are most oppressed, ae restrict of. poisonous sprays. | the labor movement can recapture the | “<= Basicabs he Aalto 47 digni- crusading spirit that belped end industrial e . ty for “its ‘ m rT right to be ezploitation in ie ae and helped to Je en, treated as free workers and nol.as vir- bring a better life for the weting’ mil- a noe tual serTs lions. _ rok C8 fe 8 A wan oe eS TEBE 0 + ES